Combined effect of risk type and activity rhythm on anti-predator response of the shore crab Gaetice depressus (Crustacea: Grapsidae)

Abstract

The response of the shore crab Gaetice depressus to predation risk stimuli of either the octopus Octopus vulgaris or crushed conspecifics was examined at two different time phases in the activity rhythm (active and inactive period) by laboratory experiments. When octopus chemical stimuli were introduced to the experimental aquarium, the crab activity decreased in the active period (night) but not in the inactive period (daytime). When the chemical stimuli of crushed G. depressus were introduced, the activity of the crabs increased in the inactive period although the stimuli decreased the activity in the active period. This indicates that G. depressus adjust their anti-predator response according to a combination of the type of predation risk and also the activity rhythm.